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Post by onequiknova on Jun 18, 2014 3:27:45 GMT -8
whats the turnaround time from the time you submit/email the artwork till a package shows up at your house? I might try and start working on a design tonight. Around 2 weeks.
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Post by stevef45 on Jul 20, 2015 18:38:03 GMT -8
Bringing this back up again. How hard is it to create an etch design in inkscape using a model as a diagram? For instance, the passenger car im working on has a/c system on the roof ends that look ok but were molded pretty crappy on the sides. I'd like to try and create and etch of this and redo the a/c. But no idea how to go about doing it. This may sound crazy, but what about making a photocopy of the roof of the car and scanning it into the computer? This is a crude zoomed in image of the top of the a/c unit fans/grills/vents that i'de like to create an etch for.
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Post by onequiknova on Jul 21, 2015 3:57:52 GMT -8
I've been contemplating doing the same thing to aid in designing some photo etch for HO scale cars/trucks, but haven't tried it yet. It would be helpful to trace the chrome trim around windows and such. I'm unsure if scanning the model into Inkscape will produce a 100% sized image. You'd think it would. If you try it, let us know.
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Post by bdhicks on Jul 21, 2015 7:33:21 GMT -8
Scanning to PDF and importing to Inkscape should preserve the proper scaling, however I would still double-check by comparing it with a box drawn to the correct measurements in Inkscape.
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Post by dhs12001 on Jul 21, 2015 8:19:17 GMT -8
onequiknova, did you by any chance do any etching for the Budd bi-level window gaskets for the build you did awhile back? Dave
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Post by onequiknova on Jul 21, 2015 9:30:38 GMT -8
Dave, I did the artwork, but was so dissapointed with the way the resin shell looked after Alclading it, I never sent them off for etching.
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Post by stevef45 on Jul 21, 2015 10:24:44 GMT -8
hmm, im going to hook up my printer tonight. and see how the scanning looks and if its even possible. We shall see what happens. i'de still have to do work to figure out thickness of the etch though which will be a pita im sure and download inkscape.
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Post by onequiknova on Jul 21, 2015 16:20:02 GMT -8
Just read the guidelines on ppdltd website on line widths. They can only be made so thin, and the thicker the material, the thicker the line width has to be.
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Post by stevef45 on Jul 21, 2015 16:55:24 GMT -8
Well this is as far as i've gotten. I was able to scan the model without any issues. Placed it on the all-in-one and just hit scan and it did it. Came out pretty clear too. Saved it as pdf, so i did a screen capture to edit a quick pic in photoshop for here. I went onto youtube and looked at a few videos. This is going to be hard. I'll look at more how to's while at work, but it may be past my capabilities. I forgot that i even have inkscape already downloaded too.
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Post by onequiknova on Jul 21, 2015 17:15:19 GMT -8
The only problem I can think of is you need to be sure the image is completely square before importing to inkscape. I'm not aware of a way to rotate the image with it.
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Post by roadkill on Jul 21, 2015 17:37:55 GMT -8
Well, this is a timely thread revival! I have a couple B&O caboose projects that will be in need of some custom photoetched parts and this may just be the info I need. One thing: I'll be needing window screens and I'm concerned about how fine they can make screening.
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Post by bdhicks on Jul 21, 2015 17:44:23 GMT -8
Under Object->Transform there's an option to rotate.
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Post by onequiknova on Jul 21, 2015 18:15:23 GMT -8
Under Object->Transform there's an option to rotate. Thanks for that. Can you rotate in fine increments? I was only aware of rotating by 90*. I don't know half of what that program is capable of.
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Post by bdhicks on Jul 21, 2015 18:27:08 GMT -8
There's a text box where you can enter any increment you want.
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Post by stevef45 on Jul 22, 2015 11:25:01 GMT -8
can someone point me in the right direction with the video that will help? every video i find is about making logo's and such. Once i import the pdf into inkscape and make sure its square, what would be the next step?
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Post by onequiknova on Jul 22, 2015 15:49:45 GMT -8
The videos I learned on were something like "scroll saw patterns with Inkscape". It was multi part, and probably a couple hours worth of videos, but it was worth the time invested.
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Post by sd80macs on Jul 22, 2015 16:38:15 GMT -8
can someone point me in the right direction with the video that will help? every video i find is about making logo's and such. Once i import the pdf into inkscape and make sure its square, what would be the next step? Steve Steve Buy a copy of Cadstd www.cadstd.com/ Get the pro version but yo ucan download the free version to get the hang of it first. Its an easy to use no frills cad program. Next get a good set of calipers so you can get accurate measurements of what you want to copy. Draw the part out on a piece of paper or print a large version of it out and write down the measurements you get. Then you can draw up the cad drawing easily and go from there. That is how I did my etches. Just remember that when going through PPD they expect you to order by the sheet not just a fret of a few pcs. If you need help shoot me an email.
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Post by onequiknova on Jul 22, 2015 17:08:39 GMT -8
can someone point me in the right direction with the video that will help? every video i find is about making logo's and such. Once i import the pdf into inkscape and make sure its square, what would be the next step? Steve Steve Buy a copy of Cadstd www.cadstd.com/ Get the pro version but yo ucan download the free version to get the hang of it first. Its an easy to use no frills cad program. Next get a good set of calipers so you can get accurate measurements of what you want to copy. Draw the part out on a piece of paper or print a large version of it out and write down the measurements you get. Then you can draw up the cad drawing easily and go from there. That is how I did my etches. Just remember that when going through PPD they expect you to order by the sheet not just a fret of a few pcs. If you need help shoot me an email. That's not entirely true. I've had test etches done of a small photo etch with just three on the sheet.
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Post by stevef45 on Jul 22, 2015 19:56:31 GMT -8
can someone point me in the right direction with the video that will help? every video i find is about making logo's and such. Once i import the pdf into inkscape and make sure its square, what would be the next step? Steve Steve Buy a copy of Cadstd www.cadstd.com/ Get the pro version but yo ucan download the free version to get the hang of it first. Its an easy to use no frills cad program. Next get a good set of calipers so you can get accurate measurements of what you want to copy. Draw the part out on a piece of paper or print a large version of it out and write down the measurements you get. Then you can draw up the cad drawing easily and go from there. That is how I did my etches. Just remember that when going through PPD they expect you to order by the sheet not just a fret of a few pcs. If you need help shoot me an email. Mark, i'll have to take a looksie at that tonight. A few frets per sheet is fine, hell 2 sheets would be fine too as long as it dont break the bank. Im sure there are some guys with multilevels that wouldn't mind some upgrades. It wouldn't just be the a/c units, i'de try and do the vents on the sides, the speaker looking things on the ends and a few other do dads.
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